Campbell SPRINGTIME GARDEN IN CALIFORNIA [185 



Not only the familiar daffodils, tulips, hyacinths, etc., come to 

 great perfection in our region, but many things, like the Freesia, 

 Ixia, and Gladioli are perfectly hardy and once planted, take care 

 of themselves. The many beautiful bulbous plants from the 

 Mediterranean region and from South Africa, grow luxuriantly in 

 California. The gorgeous Anemones and Iris of Southern Europe; 

 the Callas, Freesias and other bulbs from the Cape are equally at 

 home, and in addition there are many less familiar species. Re- 

 lated to Freesia are several showy species of Gladioli, lxia, 

 Sparaxis Tritonia and Watsonia. These are sometmes grown 

 under glass in the East, but are not hardy outside. 



All of these bulbous plants are perfectly adapted to the condi- 

 tions in California, as they naturally go to rest in the dry season 

 and quickly sprout with the first autumn rains, growing all winter, 

 and reaching the fullest perfection of flower in the late winter and 

 early spring. Of the numerous beautiful spring bulbs, none are 

 more attractive than the various kinds of Narcissus. From 

 the first paper- white, and Chinese "lilies" in November, to the 

 last poet's narcissus of late April or even May, they are among 

 the lovliest flowers of the garden. There are now hundreds of 

 varities to select from, some like the little "hoop-petticoat", only a 

 few inches high, others like the great trumpet-flowered and 

 chalice-flowered daffodils, as much as two feet when well grown. 

 They range in color from pure white, through every shade of 

 cream and gold; some with shallow cups vividly colored, even 

 scarlet in some cases; others with great trumpets, two or three 

 inches long. Sweetest of all are the little jonquils, whose dainty 

 deep yellow flowers are as sweet as orange blossoms. The display 

 of daffodils in February and March, when they open by hundreds — 

 or even thousands — affords, perhaps, the most beautiful floral 

 show of the whole year. 



There are many species of Iris which thrive in California, and 

 are among the most beautiful and satisfactory flowers in the 

 garden. They include several handsome native species which are 

 not difficult to cultivate ; but there are many other, some of which 

 are common in the Eastern gardens, but others are not hardy 

 and thrive only in California and similar climates. By a judicious 

 selection of varieties one can have Iris in flower almost all the 

 year round. Some species are regularly winter-bloomers, e.g. 

 I. Stylosa, I. reticulata, I. alata, which furnish a succession from 



